Tuesday Afternoon Notes - A Double Shot of Gronk, ESPN Laughing at the Dolphins, and More
Some interesting news on this Tuesday afternoon, with published reports saying that TE Dan Gronkowski - the brother of Rob Gronkowski - could be joining the Patriots. That would certainly take care of the void at the tight end spot, giving New England two Gronkowskis at TE. As mentioned in this morning's links, both Dan and Chris were cut over the weekend. He had just one reception for 5 yards during the preseason with Denver.
 It sounds like Rob Gronkowski may have a chance to play with his brother here in New England. (FILE:Icon/SMI) |
Some other news and notes from today:
- Some Highlights from Belichick's Conference Call - Belichick said on Tuesday that the Patriots have some weapons on offense and looked solid during the preseason. "It's always tough to go on the road in this division and play down there this time of year. It looks like Miami has played well in their preseason games. They've got a lot of weapons on offense. They're a big a physical defensive team that has good speed and athleticism with their linebackers and defensive backs and they're much improved in the kicking game from where they were last year." Monique Walker of the Boston Globe has more highlights here.
- Belichick Confident in Deion Branch - Belichick told reporters he wasn't worried about the fact Branch didn't have a reception this preseason, and gave him a vote of confidence while talking to the media. “Deion’s had a pretty good camp," said Belichick. "He hasn’t missed any time at all, which was something that wasn’t the case last year. We had to manage him in practice. But he took his share of reps, looked good doing it. He’s in a position, based on what I’ve seen this year and what he’s done in training camp, to be ready to have a good year. He works hard, gives us good leadership at the position, a smart instinctive player. Everybody in the organization feels good about counting on Deion.”
- Jeff Tarpinian Continues Undrafted Trend - During a conference call earlier today, Player personnel Nick Caserio offered high praise for the undrafted free agent. "We like what we saw from Jeff in college and we like what we saw from him on the practice field," said Caserio. "He's a player we want to continue working with." Mike Reiss points out previous undrafted players who ended up doing quite well here, including BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Wes Welker, Kyle Arrington, Brian Hoyer, and Leigh Bodden.
- Brady would "Welcome Moss Back With open arms - File this under, "it's never going to happen." Tom Brady appeared on "Patriots Monday" on WEEI today and talked about a variety of topics, including former receiver Randy Moss, who said yesterday that he'd unretire to come back to New England. Brady tried to speak highly of Moss, but people only heard the last sentence of this quote - and that's what got everyone buzzing about him today. "Would it surprise me? I mean, you never know in the NFL. I talked to Randy just before training camp started. I love Randy. He's one of the greatest receivers in the history of the game, one of the greatest players I'e ever had a chance to play with, and I love the guy. Unfortunately, I don't make personnel decisions. I'd still have all my friends here. Troy [Brown] would still be here. David Patten would still be here. Deion [Branch] would never have left. I've seen so many guys move on over the years, and then guys come back. So, who knows? ... If he ever did have the opportunity to come back, I'd certainly welcome him with open arms."
- Patrick Chung a Captain? - Mike Petraglia of WEEI has an interesting piece this afternoon on Chung, and wonders if now that James Sanders and Brandon Meriweather are one from the Patriots secondary, whether or not Chung could become a captain. He points out that Chung and Leigh Bodden are the elder statesmen of secondary, but more importantly, Chung has become someone other safeties are looking toward for on-field guidance and off-field instruction.
- Patriots Wary of Cameron Wake - Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien talked about Wake during his conference call this afternoon, and told reporters that they'll need to be Wary of where he is on the field next Monday. "He'll line up in a lot of spots," said Bill O'Brien. "He can be outside linebacker on one snap, the next snap he could be inside rusher. He could be a defensive end in their nickel package. They do a good job of moving him around, so it will be tough to get a read on where he's lining up." Nick Underhill of MassLive.com has more in this article.
"They do a good job of moving him around, so it will be tough to get a read on where he's lining up."
- ESPN Crew Laughing at the Dolphins - An interesting note from Palm Beach Sports reporter Benjamin Volin, who spoke to the Monday night crew on Tuesday. Volin said via Twitter that Tom Jackson said the Dolphins pass rush will be key, saying "I'm going to put it on Cameron Wake and Channing Chowder up front." Volin said that when he asked Chris Berman, Jackson and Jerry Rice what the Dolphins had to do to beat the Patriots, they laughed for 15 seconds. He replayed the tape, and said that Jackson laughed for 21 seconds.
How's that for bulletin board material if you're a member of the Dolphins?
